Millstone 8yo – French Oak finish

Millstone is one of Holland’s whisky brands. The Zuidam distillery uses traditional Dutch windmills to slowly grind their malted barley and stills with an unusually large contact surface. Both techniques should ensure a specific profile. Maturation of the spirit is done in new oak or first fill casks in a rather warm and dry warehouse. This forces the whisky to age quickly with a double amount of Angel’s share.

For the first 6 years of this expression, they used Jack Daniels barrels. After that, it was finished for 2 extra years in new French Oak.

Millstone 8 yo 2000 (40%, OB 2009, French oak finish)

Nose: fruity, soft and quite elegant. Apricot notes and apples. Fresh wood as well with plenty of spices. Interesting, on the one hand the fruit makes it really summery, on the other hand the spices make me think of Christmas.

Mouth: less full than I had hoped for and a little flat. Like a spicy lemonade. Oranges and cinnamon. Nutmeg and vanilla. Some honey. Hints of mint.

Finish: not too long, spicy and oaky.

Pleasantly fruity whisky with nice spicy notes in the tradition of a Glenlivet 15yo French Oak. It doesn’t come near to the original though and you’re paying almost twice the price. Around € 60.